Persuasive Essay Assignment and Rubric

INFORMAL PERSUASIVE ESSAY

Assignment: Using Robbie Cooper’s video, “Immersion,” as a springboard, write an informal persuasive essay about video gaming and children/teenagers which includes “secondary sources.”

Instructions:

1.      Have a clear purpose in mind as you begin writing

2.      Have a clearly stated thesis on which you base your argument

3.      Direct your argument toward the appropriate audience

4.      Employ an appropriate tone for that audience

5.      Address the counterclaim (opposing side); prove your “side” correct

6.      Sequence your reasons and evidence in the most effective order

7.      Include secondary sources (the people you interview) for additional support, and cite appropriately

Be sure to:

1.      Include a description of Cooper’s video somewhere in your essay.

2.      Skillfully weave secondary sources into your own writing.  Do not just “drop” the contents of your interview on the page. 

3.      Carefully proofread and edit your work.  It adds to your credibility!

4.      Include all drafts and pre-writing materials, including transcripts of interviews, with final copy of essay for full credit.

5.      Turn your work in on time!

First Draft Due for Peer Review and Teacher Conference: Tuesday, February 1

Persuasive Essay Rubric
Criteria	4	3	2	1
The claim/thesis statement	My thesis is clear, meaningful and neither too narrow or too broad.  It can be found all over the paper.	My thesis is easy to locate, but it may be somewhat unclear, or too narrow or broad to be meaningful.	My thesis is buried, confused and/or unclear.	I don't appear to have a thesis statement or controlling idea.
Reasons in support of the claim	I give clear and accurate reasons in support of my claim.	I give reasons in support of my claim but I may overlook important reasons.	I give 1 or 2 weak reasons that don't support my claim and/or irrelevant or confusing reasons.	I do not give convincing reasons in support of my claim.
Reasons against the claim	I discuss the reasons against my claim and explain why it is valid anyway.	I discuss the reasons against my claim but leave some reasons out and/or don't explain why the claim still stands.	I say that there are reasons against the claim but I don't discuss them.	I do not acknowledge or discuss the reasons against the claim.
Organization	My writing has a compelling opening, an informative middle and a satisfying conclusion.	My writing has a beginning, middle and end. It marches along but doesn't dance.	My writing is organized but sometimes gets off topic.	My writing is aimless and disorganized.
Secondary sources	I include quotations, summaries and paraphrases as additional support for my thesis.  I skillfully weave these into my own writing, and cite them appropriately.  I include the transcript of my interviews.	I include secondary sources in my essay.  I may have difficulty weaving them into my own writing, or fail to cite them properly.  I may not include the transcript of my interviews.	I include secondary sources but there are not enough to adequately support my thesis.  I may not cite appropriately or show any skill in incorporating them into my paper.	I do not include secondary sources in my essay.
Sentence fluency	My sentences are clear, complete, and of varying lengths.	I have well-constructed sentences.	My sentences are sometimes awkward, and/or contain run-ons and fragments.	Many run-ons, fragments and awkward phrasings make my essay hard to read.
Conventions	I use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.	I generally use correct conventions. I have a couple of errors I should fix.	I have enough errors in my essay to distract a reader.	Numerous errors make my paper hard to read.